Three minutes of frustration in the first half and two minutes of misery in the second were enough to derail Alabama’s soccer’s historic run Friday night as the Crimson Tide saw its season end with a 3-0 loss to UCLA in the College Cup semifinals in Cary, N.C.
A forgettable night for Alabama (23-3-1) started with a near-magical moment as Riley Mattingly Parker dove to head in a ball from Felicia Knox in the 27th minute. However, the goal was disallowed as Parker was ruled offside.
Three minutes later, UCLA (21-2-1) opened the scoring as Bruins’ defender Quincy McMahon beat Alabama right back Gessica Skora to the end line before pulling back a pass across goal to unmarked forward Reilyn Turner for an easy tap-in.
UCLA scored two goals in quick succession in the second half to bury Alabama for good. McMahon increased the Bruins’ advantage to 2-0 with a deflected shot from the top of the box in the 52nd minute. Two minutes later UCLA completed the blowout as left back Madelyn Desiano scored a solo goal, shooting from the top of the box to beat Alabama goalkeeper McKinley Crone to the upper-right corner.
UCLA will face North Carolina in the national championship game on Monday at 5 p.m. CT. North Carolina advanced by beating Florida State 3-2 in Friday’s other semifinal.
This story will be updated.